Program: Early Care and Learning, (B.P.S) - University of Memphis

Apr 01, 2025

2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog

The Early Care and Learning (ECL) emphasis provides a foundation for a career in working with young children (0-4) in early care and education and other applied settings.

Students who choose the ECL emphasis are expected to develop knowledge and skills in child development and learning, observation and assessment, pedagogy and research through classroom and field experiences. Students will be prepared for employment in a discipline working with children and families, and may pursue graduate training that leads to careers in education, academia, research, health professions, or social work.

For information on careers in this and other disciplines students should consult the Career Services Office located on the 4th Wilder Tower, 678-2239.

This Program DOES NOT lead to teacher licensure. Students interested in gaining a teaching license should contact the College of Education at 678-2728 or visit their website at: http://www.memphis.edu/tep/

General Education (35-41 hours)

See University General Education Program for the University General Education Program requirements. Students who have completed one year of American History in high school are exempted from the six credit-hour History General Education Program requirement; otherwise, students will have to meet the History requirement.

Coordinated Study (51 hours)

Many upper-division (3000/4000-level) courses have prerequisites that must be met prior to being permitted to register for those courses. You are responsible for knowing and satisfying all course prerequisites. Some (not all) prerequisites are listed below. For specific information about courses and the prerequisites they may have, please view course descriptions at: http://www.memphis.edu/ugcatalog/coursedescrip/index.php.

Many courses also require permits from the department that teaches the course. For example, SWRK and CJUS courses will always need permits from those respective departments. University College staff cannot issue permits for courses taught in other departments. ALL 3000/4000 level classes taught by the College of Business (ACCT, ECON, FIR, MGMT, MKTG) require a permit; students must request a permit online at:

https://fcbeacad.memphis.edu/permits/.

Child Development & Family Studies Core (18 hours)

Early Care and Learning Core (30 hours)

CDFS 3410 - Soc Emotion Lrng Early Child
CDFS 4101 - Int Curr for Early Learners
CDFS 4230 - Math/Science Early Learning
ICL 4001 - Teaching/Diverse Environment
SPED 2000 - Foundation/Exceptional Learn
ECED 3555 - Obsrv/Assmnt Infant/Erly Ch
ECED 4500 - Emergent Literacy/Lang Dev
ECED 4540 - Pln/Fclt Infant/Toddler Dev
ECED 4515 - Teach/Lrng Erly Chld Ed
UNIV 4110 - Internship**
*University College students MUST be at Junior standing (60 credits) in order to enroll in these College of Education courses.

Working with Families Core (3 hours)

CDFS 4910 - Ethics in Early Care and Learning

College Requirements (9 hours)

Thematic Studies (6 hours; pick 2)

University College thematic studies course(s) are designed to broaden a student’s knowledge of significant themes in social, political, and religious history. Review a complete list of courses: http://www.memphis.edu/univcoll/resources/thematic_studies.php

Senior Project (3 hours)

The senior project is a student’s culminating experience or capstone designed to synthesize and integrate the content of a student’s program of study. The senior project is intended to fuse the two or more academic areas that comprise the student’s coordinated study (major) into an academically-relevant example of scholarship. Students will complete a thesis, task-based, or artistic project on a topic of their choice with approval of their senior project instructor. The senior project is completed during a student’s final semester. ALL sections of UNIV 4995 are taught online. Students will be assigned to a specific section based on his or her concentration.

UNIV 4995 - Senior Project** (completed during the final semester)

General Electives (19-25 hours)

May be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120 with a minimum of 42 upper-division hours.